|
Post by Matthew.Jensen on Nov 12, 2012 21:36:41 GMT
I picked this up at auction a little while ago. I am not sure what it is exactly or how old. I think it might be an old Espada y Daga or maybe a Sansibar. Anyone have any ideas? Attachments:
|
|
|
Post by Jussi Ekholm on Nov 16, 2012 14:34:05 GMT
I might be way off with this guess, but I'm thinking this is flyssa. So I would think African instead of Asian.
Flyssa is traditional Moroccan sword, but I have read it had also some popularity in neighbouring Algeria also, and maybe even Tunisia.
That notch in the beginning of the blade is typical trademark that flyssa's have. Also the needle like tip which was great for piercing chainmail. There is a huge variation in the length of Flyssa, smaller ones have blades about 30cm long while the long ones can have up to 100cm. This would seem to be very plain example, some are highly decorated. I don't know much about African weapons, you can google for pictures and more information.
There is of course kalasan from Sumatra that has some similar characteristics, but to my eye this looks more like flyssa. The kalasan would probably have a hole in the beginning notch and different handle & scabbard.
|
|
|
Post by stickem on Nov 16, 2012 15:16:42 GMT
My understanding is "espada y daga" literally means "sword and dagger." So whenever I have done or discussed espada y daga, it has been in the context of having a longer blade in one hand and a shorter blade in the other. Point being, I think of espada y daga more as a method/way than a specific style/form of Filipino sword. The term "espada y daga" is Spanish, so it should probably be the case there is a Filipino name for the style/form of individual blades you are using when practicing this method. For instance, you could be practicing the espada y daga method of wielding two blades at once, having a longer ginunting / pinuti /kampilan (e.g., a sword) in one hand, and a shorter kris /punal (e.g., a dagger) in the other. The point being if it is of Filipino origin, to really identify this sword, you'd have to go a little deeper than this term alone. In any case, I may be missing something but there seems to be only one blade in your pic rather than a set of two :?: It is hard to tell from the pic alone, but is there a smaller scabbard present attached to the the face of the larger scabbard which has you thinking it is a double set? Overall, I agree with Jussi in that there is something about it which doesn't quite look Filipino... indeed, maybe it is the notch. Here are some classic examples of Filipino blades for comparison: www.arscives.com/historysteel/philippines.swords.htm
|
|
|
Post by Matthew.Jensen on Nov 18, 2012 5:17:46 GMT
It is hard to see but there is a smaller scabbard on the side. That is what made me think espada y daga. That was the only time I had seen that construction for a scabbard. Also, the butt of the blade reminded me of Filipino weapons. I never heard of a Flyssa before but after looking at a few on google images, it does look quite a lot like it. I will have to look into it more. Thank you for the direction.
|
|
|
Post by Elheru Aran on Nov 27, 2012 18:12:59 GMT
Having a secondary scabbard on the sword scabbard itself would not be greatly unusual in North Africa, particularly given that this was a quite common custom in parts of Europe and there was a good deal of cultural exchange. It is interesting, but not too out of place.
Another point against it being Filipino-- almost all Filipino blades have wooden scabbards, and this appears to be just leather or wood-core leather. The ferrule on the grip is also another mark against it.
I would second Jussi's idea of North African origins... I suggest checking with the Vikingsword forum. They're pretty good at identifying these pieces.
|
|
|
Post by Kilted Cossack on Nov 28, 2012 14:45:56 GMT
Gut says flyssa. I'll echo Elheru about the ethnographic forum at Vikingsword.com
|
|
|
Post by Matthew.Jensen on Dec 2, 2012 16:58:46 GMT
I found another flyssa listed on a a french auction sight that looked like the one I have but it better shape. Not a lot of information but it suggests that this blade is not unique. The blade is interesting but not something I collect. Back into the interwebs it will go.
|
|